Some steps in the Estate Administration Process
While it is often the case that an Estate Trustee may be very familiar with the deceased’s financial affairs, it also may be the case that the person appointed or seeking to be appointed as an Estate Trustee may be a distant relative or someone who does not possess an intimate understanding of the deceased’s assets.
This article provides a basic list of items that an Estate Trustee may look into in navigating their role as an Estate Trustee:
1. Locate Assets
A general recommendation would be to start with a search at the deceased’s place of residence. This includes accessing deceased’s personal papers, financial records and tax filings. Common sense suggests that for an individual who maintained a strong online presence, the electronic devices, websites and platforms would need to be explored and reviewed. This will provide information about various accounts and assets the deceased owned. Note that if the deceased did not maintain up to date passwords log, there can be difficulties in accessing websites and information required for the administration to continue.
Once this search is complete, it is necessary to look outside the deceased’s residence. Even when an estate trustee claims full knowledge of the deceased’s financial affairs, it is a good idea to make inquiries with banks and other institutions in the area where the deceased lived. The inquiry would relate to whether the deceased had any personal or investment accounts or any other assets with the institution including any safety deposit boxes. Local brokerage firms should be written to if the deceased had investment assets.
2. Secure Assets
Was cash found at the deceased’s premises? Did the deceased leave behind valuable items such as jewelry that needs to be secured? If so, such items should be gathered and deposited in a safe place. Is the property a rental property? If so, arrangement must be made to collect rent and take over other matters related to running the same.
The Estate Trustee should complete a thorough inventory of all the assets and include things considered to be personal items of the deceased. Items such as jewelry and other household goods may require a valuation and may require more attention and should be held for safekeeping prior to any distribution to beneficiaries. Written records, photo and video evidence of contents will help with any claims from beneficiaries.
For certain items such as cash or payments collected, the Estate Trustee should inquire whether a bank will allow an Estate Trustee to deposit into an account opened for the estate. If the deceased owned real estate, the property must be secured and insured. If the property is vacant, the insurance company should be notified and coverage should be arranged accordingly. The message is to treat the property as if it was your own and take care of the assets in your possession. If a beneficiary is occupying the property, a clear understanding should exist in terms of that individual’s repair and rent obligations, if any. Speak to a lawyer for additional input. Key is to avoid disputes and conflict if there are additional beneficiaries who may feel unfairly treated.
3. Valuation
Now that you have a complete list of assets the deceased owned and they are secured, it is important to have them valued. This will be necessary for both tax filings under the Income Tax Act along with detailed reporting requirements imposed on personal representatives in order to file an Estate Information Return. This may apply to stocks and bonds, real estate (personal) or investment use, shares in corporations along with personal items.
The list above is just a starting point for administration of an estate. It is important to protect yourself from liability and ensure that assets are being safeguarded and accounted for in the right manner. Our office provides services to executors, administrators, estate trustees and guides them through this process. Contact your Estate Administration Expert for assistance.
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Do you need to obtain the Grant of Probate on Death?
Do you need to obtain the Grant of Probate on Death?
NOTE: The article shared below is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered legal advice. For the correct advice pertaining to your situation, please contact a wills and estates lawyer in your area.
After the passing of a loved one, one of the key questions facing family members is whether they have to go to court in order to obtain the grant of probate. The short answer is, it depends on what is involved in the estate. In particular, one needs to know what type of assets exist in the name of the deceased individual and whether they can be transferred through other methods that may avoid the need for obtaining probate. In this short post, we will look at just some of these situations.
Where a grant of Probate may be required:
No will?
If the individual died without a Will, a situation known as intestacy, a probate process must follow and the individual applying will obtain something called letters of administration. It is no wonder that lawyers stress the importance of having a Will prepared.
Deceased owned real property
If the deceased held real property (house, land, mortgages etc.), then it is likely that an application must be made to the court in order to obtain the grant of probate. This is what the land registrar relies on in order to allow transfer or dealing with property in Ontario. There are some increasingly rare occasions that this may not be required if the property falls within the old Registry system.
Other property held by institutions
In a scenario where a bank or other third parties hold property under the name of the deceased, they may insist on the grant of probate. Why? Mainly so they are protected. The party acting as the Estate Trustee will have to obtain this grant through the court process in order to prove they have the authority to deal with such assets. Most importantly, by insisting on such, the banks or institutions limit their liability by relying on this grant.
However, in the event that accounts are relatively small, a bank may not insist on the grant of probate, particularly where indemnities are signed and parties are known to the bank – such as a surviving spouse.
Protection for the Executor and proving the validity of the Will
By following the process of obtaining the grant, the Executor limits him or herself from potential liability to a certain degree. This way, if another party makes a claim that they had authority to act under another will or document, the Executor can at least claim that they are acting under confirmation of the courts. Of course, this does not by any means lower the standard by which an Executor is expected to carry out his or her duties. Certainly, the grant itself can be challenged but there is no question that obtaining the grant is a method of protection for the Executor. Further, the act of obtaining a grant on its own is confirmation that a valid will exists – this is especially useful in a situation where there may be a question regarding the capacity of the deceased Testator.
Whether a grant of Probate may not be required:
Items that can usually be transferred from deceased’s name:
There may be a property that is held by way of a right of survivorship that may be allowed to be transferred without the need for probate. However, recent cases in the Supreme Court of Canada put some of these joint accounts into question and legal advice should always be sought.
Additionally, an insurance company may transfer insurance proceeds to a listed under a beneficiary designation without the need for probate. The same may apply for registered plans such as RRSPs etc.
Depending on the jurisdiction involved, personal effects, cars and vehicles, Canada Pension Plan death benefits are usually transferred without the grant of Probate. Shares that the deceased held in a private corporation may also be allowed to be transferred without the grant.
Make a list and obtain legal advice
The main message here is that there may be a number of assets that require probate and a few that do not. As obtaining the grant of probate in an estate matter takes takes at least a number of months or more and requires patience from all involved. The key is to make a detailed list and gather information if you are acting as the executor and obtain legal advice from an estate lawyer as to what steps are to be taken.
Our office serves and assists with wills, estate, probate as well as real estate matters in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and surrounding areas such as the GTA .
NOTE: The article shared below is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered legal advice. For the correct advice pertaining to your situation, please contact a wills and estates lawyer in your area.
Read More2019 – Reminder to prepare your Wills and Power of Attorney documents
With 2019 just around the corner, a lot of us may be thinking about our new year’s resolutions.
Our reminder to you is to ensure that this year you check off a critical task on your to do list: Preparation of Wills and Power of Attorneys.
A Will allows you to take care of your family members first by ensuring that you select the correct person to manage your affairs after you have passed away. Among many other things, it also allows you to decide who will be the beneficiaries of your estate. While you may (incorrectly) assume that a certain person, perhaps your spouse, will automatically inherit your estate this is often not the case. Furthermore, those with minor children should particularly be concerned with appointing the best-suited party to serve as the Guardian for your children in the unfortunate event the parents pass away.
Do not let government legislation or courts dictate who is best suited to handle your affairs, look after your children and benefit from your estate.
Power of Attorney for property and personal care allow for the most trusted persons in your life to make decisions for you. In the absence of such documents, a lengthy and often expensive court process may have to be followed in order to allow another party to make such decisions for you in the event of incapacity.
It is very important to ensure that you have these documents completed in order to provide protection for your loved ones. VRS Law can help you, contact us today
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
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